By Daniel Tyokua
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, says key infrastructure projects across Abuja are nearing completion ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s second anniversary, with some sites at about 70 percent completion.
Speaking during an inspection tour on Tuesday, Wike said he was “very satisfied” with the quality and pace of work at multiple sites being handled by contractor CGC.
“We went to the rehabilitation site at Dakibiyu and, unlike what we normally see there, we are very satisfied with the work done,” he said.
Wike said, “I can say that the project is almost at 70 per cent completion. They are now doing the finishing touches, including painting for the second and third coats. The air conditioners are working, the courts are being polished.”
The minister also inspected the Judges’ Quarters housing Court of Appeal, FCT High Court, and Federal High Court judges, noting that the residences were “almost fully completed and polished.” Work has also begun on the proposed Industrial Court residences and Code of Conduct Tribunal quarters.
Other projects visited included Collector Road, where walkways and streetlights are nearly finished; Gaduwa, with ongoing installation of streetlights and road markings; where the bridge is completed and the final wearing course on the roads is almost done.
At the informal sector site designated for the relocation of Apo Mechanic Village, Wike said roads and streetlights had been completed, with water connection remaining. He added that security officials were already on site to begin work on a police station and residential quarters.
“By and large, we are very impressed with the quality of work and the contractors have kept to their promise that, by the end of the month, most of these projects will be ready ahead of the anniversary celebrations for Mr. President,” he said.
Wike said at least 20 projects would be ready for commissioning, including water projects in Bwari and Karu, roads in Abuja Municipal Area Council and Bwari Area Council, the Pai-Gomani road, and roads in the Gwagwalada and Nyanya axis.
He urged opposition and coalition members to visit the FCT to see the projects firsthand.
“I wonder where the opposition or coalition members are. Where are they indeed? They should come and see what is happening in the FCT,” he said. “We have also given attention to ordinary Nigerians. For the judiciary to be independent, you have to provide all the things required for that independence. Welfare is part of it, improving their working conditions is part of it, providing the necessary infrastructure is also part of it.”
The minister said the administration was extending development beyond the city centre to satellite towns and rural areas, citing the commissioning of the A2-Pai Road in Kwali as the first time a president visited such a rural area for a project launch.
“People simply ask: ‘This is what we need. Have you provided it?’ Nigerians are interested in good governance, infrastructure, electricity, and improved living conditions,” Wike said. “With what I have seen, I believe the President will not only get the required percentage in the FCT, but will also win comfortably.”
